Leesburg's best assets are its lakes and its annual Bikefest. Most of the sights worth seeing are either on or near the water, or clustered in the compact historic downtown.
Venetian Gardens is the centrepiece of the waterfront — 45 acres of landscaped parkland tucked into the northwest corner of Lake Harris, with walking bridges, boat ramps, a splash pad, and open lawns that make it the best free afternoon in town. Lake Griffin State Park offers a quieter alternative on the east side of the city: a boardwalk through ancient cypress hammock, alligators basking on the banks, and one of the better birdwatching sites in Lake County.
The Downtown Historic District runs along Main Street with brick-paved streets and turn-of-the-century storefronts that have survived in decent condition — a few galleries, antique shops, and restaurants make it worth a slow walk.